මොට්ටු තණ (Mottu thana) Cyperus kyllingia

Image source : Phytoimages.siu.edu

Image source : Flickr.com

Common name : Mottu thana

Scientific Name: Cyperus kyllingia

Family               : Cyperaceae

Life cycle          :  Annual

Morphological characteristics :

A smooth plant, with creeping underground stems

Leaves many, short; leaf sheaths  ,    thin, membranous, pale to purplish.

Flower stems often 3 to 18 inches high, ridged, soft, with three to four dark brown leafy bracts at the top

Spike 1 (rarely 2 to 3), ovoid to round, 1/4 inch in diameter; spikelets white, numerous, 1- to 2-flowered; flower scales membranous, strawlike.

Fruit: a nut, brown

Agricultural importance :             A weed in waste and grassy places

Propagation                    :             By seed and underground stems

Uses                               :             Occasionally used as a lawn grass in shady areas

Control methods            :

Deep and timely plowing to a depth of 25-30cm ; deep and frequent interrow treatments of the ground before closing of plants

Sowing of lucerne